Display box



Nov. 2-1, 1967 L. D. YOUNG 3,353,657

DISPLAY s x Filed Jun 27, 1966 Fie z INVENTOR. LEWIS DOUGLAS YOUNG ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,353,657 DISPLAY BOX Lewis Douglas Young, Providence, R.I., assignor to Douglas Young, Inc., Pawtucket, RJL, a corporation of Rhode Island Filed June 27, 1966, Ser. No. 560,519 3 Claims. (Cl. 206--45.13)

My present invention relates to a box or container and more particularly to the type of container which permits the display of the merchandise contained within the container.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a display box of the type which supports the contents of the article at an inclined angle with reference to the surface of the box to display the merchandise.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display box of the type specified which permits unobstructed swinging movement of the cover regardless of the size of the merchandise on display.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a box of the type specified which permits merchandise which is larger in height than the supporting tray to be displayed without interfering with the function of the box and its cover.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box embodying my present invention in open position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the box in open position shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view with the cover of the box swung to closed position.

A conventional box in use provides for a bottom member, a cover hinged thereto, and a tray for holding the merchandise in the bottom member. On opening the cover, the tray is tilted at an angle to display the merchandise. Applicant has found however, that where merchandise is displayed which is higher than the depth of the tray, as for example golf balls, it tends to protrude upwardly beyond the upper edge of the front of the box just as the cover is swinging downwardly so that there is a contact or rubbing action between the bottom edge of the front wall of the cover and the merchandise in the tray. Where the merchandise is higher than the golf ball it may seriously interfere with the closure of the box. The present invention is therefore designed to provide a box which acts to withdraw the tray from the front of the box during the closure operation and thus prevent interference with the movement of the cover.

The improvement in the present invention is accomplished by providing an auxiliary tray supporting portion which bears against the front wall of the bottom by mounting the tray thereon in a rearward position sothat it swings away from the front wall of the box when the cover is turned into closed position. Referring more in detail to the drawings illustrating my invention, the novel box ilustrated therein comprises a bottom portion and a cover member 11. The bottom portion 10 is provided with a bottom wall 12 and a perimeter of vertical wall portions such as the front wall 13, side walls 14, and rear Wall 15.

The cover member 11 is provided with a top wall 16 and depending flanges forming depending wall portions therefrom such as the front wall 17, side walls 18, and rear wall 19. The front wall 17 may be provided with a finger engageable member 20 for lifting the cover against 3,353,657 Patented Nov. 21, 1967 the action of the spring hinge. The back or rear walls 15 and 19 are hinged together by a conventional type of hinge member illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. This comprises metal hinge plates 21 and 22 joined by the pintle pin 23. An arcuate spring 24 draws the hinge plates towards each other and serves to swing the cover away from the body after it has been opened through a short are and to resiliently hold the cover into closed position after it has been closed through a short arc. Since the ends of the spring are hooked, they will serve to limit the opening movement to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus the hinge serves to hold the cover in open and closed positions and to limit the opening movement of the cover.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover 16 is provided with a lining 25 secured to the inside surface of the cover portion 16 and provided with printed advertising matter or a pleasing textile cover, if desired. Extending from one edge of the lining 25, at right angles thereto, is a lever portion 26. As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the lever portion 26 extends along the rear wall 19 of the cover, slightly spaced therefrom, clears the hinge members and extends well beyond that so that in the closed position shown in FIG. 3 it is almost at the bottom 12. The lever portion 26 is of relatively stiff cardboard material so that it will retain its position with a minimum of flexing. Rigidly hinged to the lower end 27 of the lever portion 26 is a link 28. The opposite edge of the link 28 is hinged at 29 to the auxiliary supporting portion 30 which is also of stiff cardboard and extends to and abuts the front Wall 13 of the bottom portion 10.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, I provide a tray 31 for holding the merchandise within the box. The tray 31 is provided with a bottom 32, a vertical front wall 33, a vertical rear wall 34, and vertical side walls 35. The tray 31 may also be provided with a deck or pad 36 to enhance the appearance of the merchandise in the interior of the tray. In accordance with the present invention, the tray 31 is mounted on the auxiliary supporting portion 36 spaced from the front edge thereof and overhanging the rear edge thereof as can readily be seen in FIG. 2. This provides a space between the front edge of the member 30 and the front wall 33 of the tray 31. It is this spacing of the tray which permits the swinging movement of the cover without interference from protruding merchandise in the tray 31.

When the box is in the closed position shown in FIG. 3, the link 28 is parallel to the bottom 12 and has caused the auxiliary supporting member 30 to move forwardly so that its front edge bears against the front wall 13 of the bottom. Note that in this position the tray 31 is positioned rearwardly against the lever portion 26 and spaced from the front of the box. Now as the cover is swung into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom end of the lever portion 26 has a tendency to swing slightly forwardly. However, since the auxiliary supporting member 30 is already bearing against the front wall 13 of the bottom, the tray cannot be moved forwardly until the cover has actually cleared the merchandise and the lever has pushed the tray upwardly into the position shown in FIG. 2. In reverse, when the cover is moved downwardly, as it reaches the point where it would normally contact the merchandise, the lever 26, the bottom end thereof especially, is being swung inwardly towards the rear wall 15 of the bottom and the auxiliary supporting member 30 is dropping downwardly from the raised position shown in FIG. 2 to the drop position shown in FIG. 3. As this movement takes place the tray has a distinct rearward movement so that it no longer contacts the front of the box. This affords suflicient clearance for the bottom edge of the front wall 17 of the cover to clear the merchandise and go to a closed position without interference.

The advantages of the present invention are therefore very apparent. The tray is moved rearwardly by the tilting mechanism and there is no interference with the movement of the cover. Furthermore, the frictional engagement of the front edge of the support 30 with the front wall 13, prevents the tray from swinging open with the cover when the box is opened. The improvement adds very little to the cost of the box, yet provides a distinct mechanical advantage. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A display box comprising a bottom portion having a bottom and upstanding back, side, and front Walls, a cover portion having a top and depending back, side, and front walls, said cover portion being hinged to said bottom portion along the rear edge thereof to swing relative thereto through 90 degrees, a tray having a bottom and upstanding front, side, and rear walls positioned within the upstanding walls of said bottom portion, means supporting said tray in spaced relation to the front wall of said bottom portion, and lever means mounted on said cover portion for pushing said supporting means against said front wall of said bottom portion and for lifting the rear of said supporting means when said cover portion is swung to open position, whereby said tray will be inclined with reference to said bottom, said supporting means comprises a stiff sheet hinged to said lever means and having its front edge abutting the front wall of said bottom portion, said tray being mounted on said supporting sheet spaced from the front edge thereof.

2. A display box as in claim 1, wherein said lever means lowers the rear of said supporting means and the front wall of said tray swings away from the front wall of said bottom portion when said cover portion is swung to closed position.

3. A display box as in claim 1, wherein said lever means comp-rises a stitf sheet secured to said cover portion and extending downwardly toward the bottom of said bottom portion when said cover portion is in closed position, a rigid link hinged to said sheet and hinged to said supporting means at the rear edge thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,732,214 10/1929 Amcz-Droz 20645.13 2,657,793 11/1953 Goldshine 206-45.13 2,680,512 6/1954- Young 206-45.13

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY BOX COMPRISING A BOTTOM PORTION HAVING A BOTTOM AND UPSTANDING BACK, SIDE, AND FRONT WALLS, A COVER PORTION HAVING A TOP AND DEPENDING BACK, SIDE, AND FRONT WALLS, SAID COVER PORTION BEING HINGED TO SAID BOTTOM PORTION ALONG THE REAR EDGE THEREOF TO SWING RELATIVE THERETO THROUGH 90 DEGREES, A TRAY HAVING A BOTTOM AN UPSTANDING FRONT, SIDE, AND REAR WALLS POSITIONED WITHIN THE UPSTANDING WALLS OF SAID BOTTOM PORTION, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID TRAY IN SPACED RELATION TO THE FRONT WALL OF SAID BOTTOM PORTION, AND LEVER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID COVER PORTION FOR PUSHING SAID SUPPORTING MEANS AGAINST SAID FRONT WALL OF SAID BOTTOM PORTION AND FOR LIFTING THE REAR 